President Trump to Headline RNC Midterms Convention in Texas as Charlie Kirk Memorial Events Begin

Approximately 45 congressional Republicans and candidates have opted not to attend the convention, despite the requirement for House members to pay $25,000 to participate. Simultaneously, the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Charlie Kirk will be observed next week. Turning Points USA will host a memorial event on Utah Valley University's campus on September 10. Kirk was a prominent figure known for his advocacy of free speech and his work in radicalizing young people toward the MAGA agenda. The convention takes place in Texas, a state that served as the launching pad for the GOP's Islamophobia-centric midterms strategy. This strategy focuses on fearmongering about creeping Sharia rather than affordability, as trade wars and bombings have driven up prices. The administration also noted that President Trump will attend the Pentagon service for the 9/11 anniversary, while skipping the Ground Zero memorial to accommodate existing speech policies.